Steve Stricker Makes Feelings Clear on LIV Golf Players Returning to PGA Tour
<p>June 6, 2025, Madison, Wisconsin, USA: STEVE STRICKER of the United States blasts his ball out of a bunker on the fifth hole during the opening round of the 2025 American Family Insurance Championship at TPC Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. Madison USA – ZUMAb262 20250606_znp_b262_072 Copyright: xJeffxM.xBrownx</p>
<p>June 6, 2025, Madison, Wisconsin, USA: STEVE STRICKER of the United States blasts his ball out of a bunker on the fifth hole during the opening round of the 2025 American Family Insurance Championship at TPC Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. Madison USA – ZUMAb262 20250606_znp_b262_072 Copyright: xJeffxM.xBrownx</p>
As LIV Golf seeks investment for the coming seasons, its players have already started looking for a way back to the PGA Tour. Former Ryder Cup U.S. captain Steve Stricker explained his stance on their return.
Stricker, who currently plays on the PGA Tour Champions circuit and has won 18 titles there, pointed out in an interview with Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the return of older LIV players could elevate the tour's status.
“There’s two ways of looking at it, right? Sure, to have the guys that are 50 now, or close to it, like Lee Westwood, [Ian] Poulter, Pat Perez, some other guys [Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson], they would be hits here on the Champions Tour. This tour could use that. I look at it from that standpoint.”
Dec 16, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Steve Stricker plays his shot from the sixth tee during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2023; Orlando, Florida, USA; Steve Stricker plays his shot from the sixth tee during the PNC Championship at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Former Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter remain popular names in the sport, while six-time major winner Phil Mickelson still boasts an extraordinary fan base. Meanwhile, Perez and Stenson have already started working on their way back, though both remain suspended, with Perez ineligible until Jan. 1, 2027.
“Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have Poulter and Westwood and Pat Perez and some other guys there, too. It would only help our event, you know? But I also know that there are probably consequences for them if they want to come back,” Stricker said.
The return of LIV Golfers to the American circuit has been criticized by many, with Brooks Koepka agreeing to make a $5 million charitable donation to return through the Returning Members Program this year.
The 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed is set to return to competition on August 25, 2026.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp also shared his insights regarding this matter.
Brian Rolapp On Whether LIV Golfers Can Return
Like Stricker, Rolapp also acknowledged the value LIV Golfers could add to the tour.
"But listen, I've said it publicly and I'll say it again: I'm interested in whatever makes the PGA Tour better. That's what my job is. That's what I'm interested in doing. That has no limit. That's how I'll focus on it," Rolapp said on "The Pat McAfee Show" in April.
In the same interview, Rolapp also focused on the positive impact of LIV.
"I think that's what LIV did was expose some things that maybe the PGA Tour could do better," he added.
As LIV continues its efforts to secure investment for the coming seasons, it's only a matter of time before we know whether LIV Golfers will be reinstated to the American circuit.
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Written by
Avishek Sarkar
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav